Vehicle treatment installation and operating method

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an operating method and a vehicle treatment installation ( 1 ) comprising at least one portal ( 3 ) and a signaling device ( 7 ) for guiding the vehicle operator. The vehicle treatment installation ( 1 ) has a drive-in aid ( 19 ) which transmits to the vehicle operator optical direction and correcting instructions. The drive-in aid can, for example, generate optically visible guide lines ( 34 ) aligned along the direction of travel. It can also comprise a measurement device ( 12, 13 ) in the form of a sensor system or an optical detection system with cameras ( 24, 25 ), which detect and evaluate the position and alignment of the vehicle ( 2 ) when it is driven in and via a signaling device ( 7 ) transmit to the vehicle operator corresponding instructions ( 10 ) relative to the direction of travel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle treatmentinstallation and a vehicle treatment installation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicle treatment installations, in particular portal washinginstallations, have in practice mechanical guide devices consisting oftwo guide rails on the floor, which guide rails are supposed to definethe drive-in track laterally and, if necessary, are supposed to guidethe vehicle wheels laterally. This mechanical guide aid is notsufficiently safe and is easily being rolled over by the vehicle wheels.Furthermore the rails form a trip threshold and can cause an accidentfor the vehicle operator when leaving and entering the vehicle.Furthermore a signaling device in the form of a signal with red andgreen lights is usually mounted on the portal. It indicates to thevehicle operator when he has driven sufficiently far under or in frontof the portal and can park the vehicle. Incorrect positions of thevehicle, like a later shift or skewed positions, are thereby notdetected. The light also does not give any instructions for correctionsin the case of skewed positions. The known vehicle treatmentinstallation does not meet the demands because of its limited guide andaccident safety.

The DE-G-92 15 013 discloses a different drive-in aid for vehicles atgarages having a manipulator which can be mechanically coupled with thevehicle and which moves the vehicle without the driver and automaticallyinto the parking space. Such an arrangement is very expensive and cannotbe utilized for vehicle washing installations because of the difficultsurrounding conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide a bettervehicle washing installation.

The vehicle washing installation of the invention has a drive-in aidwhich transmits optically visible direction and correction instructionsto the vehicle operator. It safely and reliably guides the vehicleoperator during his drive into the installation and enables him to avoidundesired skewed positions and other incorrect positions. The drive-inaid also takes away from insecure vehicle operators the fear regardingthe correct driving into a vehicle washing installation.

Mechanical guide rails or other like guide devices engaging the vehicleitself are because of the drive-in aid not needed. With the eliminationof such guide rails, accident prevention and also comfort in the vehiclewashing installation can be improved.

The drive-in aid can be designed differently, for example, as a passiveor active drive-in aid. The passive drive-in aid offers the vehicleoperator at least one optically visible guide line on which he canorient himself like on a line of collimation when driving into theinstallation. He can thereby determine with the help of the guideline(s) and the vehicle position relative to the guide line, whether hedrives in laterally shifted or skewed, and can correct his direction oftravel accordingly. The guide line communicates through its stationaryposition to the vehicle operator on the one hand an instructionregarding the direction. On the other hand he receives an instructionregarding an incorrect position by a deviation of the guide line fromthe desired position, whereby the magnitude and direction of thedeviation give an instruction for correction.

It is hereby advantageous when the guide line is aligned on the one handessentially along the drive-in direction and on the other hand centrallywith respect to the installation or in the area of the vehicle operator.

Of a particular advantage is to project the optic guide line(s) fromabove onto the vehicle and/or onto the floor of the installation. Thismakes it possible for the vehicle operator to see in front of himself onthe floor the guide line(s) initially when driving in. In theinstallation he sees the guide line mainly on the hood of the car and onthe windshield and can thereby very easily recognize whether he is offcenter with respect to the desired drive-in direction.

The drive-in aid has thereby the special advantage that it is suited forall vehicle dimensions alike and does not need any adjustments.Furthermore mechanical guide devices on the floor of the installationcan be eliminated so that falls due to tripping no longer exist. Anoptic guide line is furthermore psychologically more advantageousbecause it does not produce any frightening impacts during directiondeviations. The optic drive-in aid has in addition the advantage that itdoes not demand a great structural input and can also be retrofitted atany time.

It is possible in a further embodiment to utilize instead of one singleguide line a plurality of lines or also a guide net. With this alsooptic three-dimensional guide actions can be achieved in such a mannerthat a three-dimensionally appearing funnel-shaped guide picture isprojected onto the windshield in front of the vehicle operator. Theselight and/or picture effects can appear as a virtual drive-in aid.

He thereby receives through the signaling device steering instructions,with which he can correct incorrect positions during the positioning andaligning of the vehicle. In particular he can correct in this mannerskewed positions or a lateral shift, which is too much, with respect tothe drive-in track.

The active drive-in aid operates with one or several measurement deviceswhich determine the position and alignment of the vehicle during drivingin and in the final position, evaluate same in a suitable controlsystem, and then transmit to the vehicle operator in the case ofincorrect positions via a suitable signaling device the necessarysteering aids through direction and correction instructions.

The measurement devices have in the one embodiment non-contact sensors,in particular optic sensors. In an improved and more complex embodiment,it is possible to utilize other optic detection systems, for example,camera systems or so-called vision systems. The measurement devices areparticularly reliable and operate reliably and precisely even under thesurrounding conditions existing in a vehicle washing installation. Inparticular the requirements for assembly, installation, service andoperation are low in optic detection systems. They are also advantageousregarding costs.

The camera systems have the advantage that they can also be utilized forother purposes, in particular for contour detection and for controllingand/or monitoring the treatment process or the vehicle treatmentinstallation. Furthermore camera systems are particularly inexpensiveand reliable in operation. When only one drive-in aid is demanded,inexpensive systems with a low resolution and little requirementsregarding the calculating capacity, which systems are oriented on theswitched-on lights of the vehicle, are sufficient. Better camera systemswith a higher resolution permit the aforementioned contour detectionwith the control and monitoring functions.

It is particularly advantageous in the case of the active drive-in aidwhen the signaling device can be positioned directly in front of thevehicle operator in the field of vision, for example, in the opening ofthe portal. This can be realized, for example, by arrangement on aliftable and lowerable roof nozzle of the washing installation. Thesignaling device can thus for guiding the operator be lowered directlyinto the range of vision in front of the vehicle operator and can againbe removed for the following treatment process or also for exiting.Furthermore sufficient space is available on the roof treatmentaggregate, in particular the roof-drying nozzle, in order to store alarger or more complex signaling device. The signaling device, however,does no longer need to be protected so very carefully because it can bemoved with the roof nozzle during the washing operation upwardly into arelatively spray-safe position.

The signaling device can have various designs. It is in the preferredexemplary embodiment a switchable optic indicator directed toward thevehicle operator. The subclaims disclose different design possibilitiesfor this. The operator guide can in this manner transmit better, moreextensive and more goal-oriented informations than up to now to thevehicle operator. It is thereby possible to use instead of the opticindicator a different form of signaling, for example spokeninformations.

The signaling device of the invention permits in particular to instructthe vehicle operator when driving into the vehicle washing installationfully with detailed instructions. The signaling device can duringoperation also transmit other types of informations to the vehicleoperator, for example, exiting instructions, informations regarding thescope and actual state of the vehicle treatment, advertisementinformations, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention is exemplarily and schematically illustrated in thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a vehicle washing installation comprising apassive drive-in aid utilizing an optic guide beam,

FIG. 2 is a front view of the arrangement of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a front view of a vehicle washing installation comprising anactive drive-in aid with optic sensors,

FIG. 4 is a top view of the arrangement of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 shows a modification of FIG. 4 utilizing a camera, and

FIG. 6 shows a further modification with several cameras.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 to 6 illustrate a treatment installation (1) for vehicles (2)comprising an optic drive-in aid (19). The treatment installation (1)can be designed as desired. The illustrated embodiment is a vehiclewashing installation. Alternatively it may also be a polishinginstallation or any similar installation.

The vehicle washing installation (1) is schematically illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 6. It consists of one or several portals (3), in which amongothers a washing device (4) and a drying device are housed. The portalsare in the illustrated embodiment designed conventionally in a U-shapeand travel along stationary rails (20). Alternatively it is alsopossible for the portal or the portals (3) to travel along elevated orabove-the-ground rails like an overhead crane or the like. The washingdevice (4) can have any desired design and can house spray devices forchemical products, rinse water, high-pressure nozzles, roof and sidebrushes or similar other aggregates. The drawings show for claritypurposes only wheel-washing brushes.

The drying device houses at least one raisable and lowerable roof-dryingnozzle (6). In addition one or several movable or stationary sidenozzles can be provided. The roof-drying nozzle (6) can alternativelyalso be rigidly arranged. It has in the preferred embodiment a verticalguide in the portal (3) and a lifting drive. Furthermore it is possibleto provide light barriers and similar control elements for theroof-nozzle movement.

The vehicle washing installation (1) is in the illustrated embodimentstored as a portal washing installation in a washing bay (39), which hasa floor (40), a ceiling or a roof (41), an entry (17) and, if necessary,an oppositely positioned exit (18). The portal (3) equipped with allnecessary aggregates moves hereby relative to the stationary vehicle(2). The vehicle (2) is driven by the vehicle operator onto a drive-intrack (21) in drive-in direction (16) in front of or under thestationary portal (3). The vehicle (2) can after having been washedleave the installation (1) either by moving forward or backwarddepending on the design of the installation.

The vehicle washing installation (1) can be designed alternatively as atandem or cycle installation. In the case of a tandem installation twoportals are provided which are set up one behind the other and areequipped with different aggregates. The portals can move separately ortogether. In the case of a cyclical installation two or more portals arealso arranged one behind the other and are separated into differenttreatment areas by a movable intermediate wall. The vehicle operatordrives the vehicle after the first treatment operation has ended underthe next portal. The vehicle can also be moved via a tugging device. Itis also possible to mix these types of installations. The vehiclewashing installation (1) can basically be designed as desired.

The vehicle washing installation (1) has a drive-in aid (19), which inthe exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 is designed as a passivedrive-in aid and in the modification of FIGS. 3 to 6 as an activedrive-in aid. The passive drive-in aid (19) works with at least oneoptic guide line (34). The active drive-in aid (19) has one or severalmeasuring devices (12, 13) and one signaling device (7) withtravel-direction instructions (10) to guide the vehicle operator.

The passive optic drive-in aid (19) illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 enablesthe vehicle operator to drive correctly along the drive-in direction(16) into the installation (1) and to park the vehicle in front of ourunder the portal (3). The drive-in aid (19) has for this purpose adevice which produces one or several optically visible guide line(s)(34) in front of the vehicle operator. Using these guide lines (34) thevehicle operator can determine whether he is driving with a lateralshift too far to the left or too far to the right or possibly even alsoat an angle and can accordingly countersteer.

The washing installation (1) can in this design have in a conventionalmanner mechanical guide rails (38) on the floor (40) for the vehiclewheels. However, these can also be eliminated in the preferredembodiment because of the optic drive-in aid (19).

One single guide line (34) is in the illustrated embodiment alignedessentially along the drive-in direction (16). Furthermore it is alignedpreferably in the area of the steering wheel of the vehicle. A goodguiding action is achieved when the guide line (34) extendsapproximately centrally with respect to the steering column.Alternatively it is possible to arrange the guide line (34) according tothe drawings of FIGS. 1 and 2 essentially centrally with respect to theinstallation (1).

The optic guide line (34) can be produced in various ways. In thepreferred embodiment, it is projected from above onto the vehicle (2)and/or onto the floor (40) of the installation. It can in this manner beseen in every drive-in position in the installation (1) by the vehicleoperator.

The drive-in aid (19) has in the preferred embodiment one or severaloptic beam producers (35), for example lamps, laser devices or the like,which produce a concentrated light beam, in particular a laser beam orthe like. FIGS. 1 and 2 show here various embodiments as modificationsin the same drawings.

The optic guide line (34) extends preferably from the entry (17) to thecorrect parking position under the portal (3). However, as analternative, it can also extend to the end of the bay or to the exit(18). The guide line (34) can be created as a full line or also as adotted line. The line or its dots can also have any desired geometricforms, symbols or the like.

One or several beam producers (35) are in the simplest embodimentarranged on the ceiling (41) of the bay and/or on the overhead crown(33) of the portal (3), which beam producers direct a beam (36)vertically or inclined downwardly. The beam producers (35) can therebybe movably arranged so that the beam (36) wanders back and forth alongthe desired guide line (34). When the beam moves suitably quickly, thelazy eye sees the impact dots as a line (34). Similarly it is alsopossible that several beam producers (35) are arranged one after theother preferably centrally and above the desired guide line (34), andmark with the impact dots of their beams (36) the guide line (34)dot-like or line-shaped.

FIG. 1 illustrates yet a further modification which, for example, has alaterally arranged and rotating beam producer (35), the beams (36) ofwhich are diverted downwardly by suitable reflecting devices (37), forexample mirrors, in order to produce the guide line (34). The producercan, for example, be a rotating laser head with a health-conscientiouslight intensity.

The beam producers (35) can in a further modification also be arrangedat any other desired spot, for example near the floor or in the wall ofthe bay, whereby the beams (36) are deflected through suitable mirrors(37) or the like. Also it is possible to arrange one or several beamproducers (35) at the entry (17) which emit beams (36) in drive-indirection (16). An arrangement is also possible at the end of the bayand the exit (18), whereby the beam projection is directed without glarefrom the front against the vehicle (2).

Through the preferred projection of the beams (36) or of the guide line(34) produced by said beams from above onto the vehicle (2), it ispossible for the vehicle operator in his vehicle to see the guide line(34) on the hood of the car and also on his windshield (32). Since mostvehicles are designed center-symmetrically, he can using the symmetryalso determine whether the guide line (34) lies outside of the center ofthe vehicle or is inclined with respect to the longitudinal line of thevehicle and can correct the steering turn accordingly.

The optic guide line (34) can, if necessary, also be utilized fordetermining and signaling the drive-in distance. IT can for this purposebe suitably limited in the longitudinal extent. When the guide line (34)is no longer visible at the front end of the hood of the car, thedrive-in position has been reached.

The drive-in aid (19) or the beam producers (35) can be turned on andoff in a controlled suitable manner. Through a drive-in sensor, forexample, a light barrier, an induction loop, an approximation feeler orthe like, they are, when a vehicle (2) drives in, automatically turnedon and are, after a predetermined time or upon reaching acorrespondingly final controlled vehicle position, automatically againturned off.

In further modifications of the illustrated embodiments, it is possiblefor the guide line (34) to be created also, for example, stationarily inthe floor (40) of the installation by a band of lights. In a furthermodification, it is possible to provide instead of one also severaloptic guide lines (34) which extend, for example, parallel side-by-side.A further modification provides for several dot-shaped light sourceswhich produce also only one light dot on the front portion of thevehicle (2) or on the floor (40) of the installation, whereby these dotswander optically with the movement of the vehicle relative to thestationary light sources.

Several guide lines can in a further modification be projected in theform of complex images in front of the vehicle operator, for example onthe windshield. These images can deliver three-dimensional optic effectsand can provide the vehicle operator, for example, with a type ofdrive-in direction with a three-dimensional effect. Suchmulti-dimensional and virtual images can, for example, be produced withone or several suitable laser devices. Also any other suitableprojection devices can be used.

The active drive-in aid (19) illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6 has one orseveral measurement devices (12, 13) and one control system (14) todetermine and evaluate the position and alignment (30) of the vehicle(2) when driving into the vehicle treatment installation (1). Thesignaling device (7) and the travel-direction instructions (10) aresuitably controlled by the control system (14).

The signaling device (7) can in a suitable manner optically and/oracoustically guide the vehicle operator. The travel-directioninstructions (10) give thereby to the vehicle operator, when the vehicleis not correctly positioned (30), correcting and steering aids tomaintain the mostly center drive-in ideal line (29) and for the correctdrive-in direction. Moreover, the signaling device (7) can transmitfurther informations, for example, for the actual vehicle position orfor the stretch yet to be traveled forward, etc.

Several measurement devices (12, 13) are provided in the embodiment ofFIGS. 3 and 4, which measurement devices are designed as non-contactsensors (22, 23), in particular as optic sensors. These can, forexample, be light barriers, infrared light scanners or the like.

As is made clear in FIG. 3, the measurement devices (12) or the sensors(22) have an essentially vertical detection direction (15). Furthermoreseveral measurement devices (13) or sensors (23) are arranged with oneessentially horizontal detection direction (15). The sensors (22, 23)are arranged in pairs on both sides of the drive-in track (21) and atspaced intervals in front of the portal (3). They are provided outsideof the range of movement of the portal and are positioned in a suitablemanner stationarily in the vehicle washing installation, for example,through frames fastened on the floor, through a direct fastening on thewalls of the bay, the ceiling of the bay or in any other suitablemanner.

The measurement devices (12) with the vertical detection device (15) arepreferably aligned with the longitudinally extending edge interruptionareas (5) of the portal (3). These edge interruption areas can be fixedin any desired manner corresponding with the design of the portal (3) orthe treatment devices (4, 6). As shown in FIG. 3, these vertical edgeinterruption planes (5) extend, for example, with a slight distancewithin the washing brushes in rest position. If necessary, also thelateral drying nozzles or the high-pressure nozzles (not illustrated)can define the inner vertical edge interruption plane and its positionrelative to the drive-in track (21). An edge interruption plane iscreated above the path of travel of the portal (3) along the drive-indirection (16). The sensors (22) of the measurement devices (12) arepreferably arranged in this edge interruption plane, whereby theirdetection direction (15) extends essentially in this plane. FIG. 4clearly shows this position. For example four sensors (12) are herearranged each in two pairs.

With the vertically detecting measurement devices (12) it is possible todetermine skewed positions or a lateral shift of the vehicle (2) alreadyduring the driving in and prior to reaching the final position at theportal (3). FIG. 4 shows this in connection with a skewed position (30)of the vehicle (2). The right rear of the vehicle projects here into theedge interruption plane (5) and could collide with the portal (3) or itsparts during the washing operation. The rear sensor (12) positioned inthe rear area detects the vehicle parts lying in its beam range (15).The three other sensors (12) do not detect any vehicle parts andcommunicate a normal operating state. These incoming sensor signals areevaluated in the control system (14), whereby the illustrated skewedposition (30) is detected.

When such incorrect positions of the vehicle (2) during driving in aredetected, the necessary correcting aid is determined in the controlsystem (14) based on the signal evaluation and a suitable program, andis signaled to the vehicle operator via travel-direction instructions(10). He receives for this purpose an acoustic, optic or otherwisesuitable signal that he is supposed to turn the steering wheel in theexemplary embodiment to the right in order to again correct the lateralshift and the skewed position, and to return to the correct drive-inideal line (29). As soon as the steering aid becomes active and thevehicle has again the correct position, the correction instruction iscancelled.

Should the vehicle operator park the vehicle (2) in an incorrectposition, the control system (14) transmits a corresponding instructionto the vehicle operator through the signaling device (7). Furthermore itis possible for the control system (14) to stop the vehicle washinginstallation (1) and to prevent the start of the portal (3) and of thetreatment devices (4, 6).

The vertically detecting measurement device (12) can aside from theillustrated skewed position also detect a mere lateral shift of thevehicle (2) relative to the ideal line (29) during an otherwise straightvehicle alignment. The two right sensors (12) are then, for example,covered and detect vehicle parts. It may also be possible for extremeskewed positions to occur, during which three sensors react.

Deviating from the illustrated embodiment it is also possible to providein place of the four sensors (12) or measurement devices (12) more orless of those measurement devices, which in addition may also vary indesign and arrangement. For example, it is possible to arrange in placeof the illustrated distributed individual sensors sensor bars in asingular or multiple arrangement along the edge interruption planes (5)or to have these extend transversely over the drive-in track.

The sensors (22) are in the illustrated exemplary embodiment designed asinfrared light scanners arranged at a distance above the vehicle (2) andthe installation floor. They radiate with a narrow cone preferablyvertically downwardly. This design is particularly safe in operation andis not complicated in construction and is inexpensive. Without a vehicleor with a correctly driven-in vehicle they detect only the bottom of thevehicle in the edge interruption area (5). They have for this purposebeen suitably aligned and dimensioned during the installation of thedrive-in aid (19).

The sensors (22) function, for example, as spacing meters, whichdetermine through a light reflex whether a portion of the vehicle (2)moves into the beam range (15) and is spaced at a smaller distance fromthe sensor (22) than the floor of the installation.

The measurement devices (12) or the sensors (22) can as an alternativealso be designed and positioned in any desired other suitable manner.For example, capacitive or inductive scanners or light barriers can beused. Also it is possible to provide in place of the operatively safelight scanners, which are arranged on top, scanning devices which arearranged on the floor, for example, pressure sensors in the floor of theinstallation or light scanners on the floor.

The embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 provides furthermore one or several,preferably laterally positioned measurement devices (13) with anessentially horizontal detection direction (15). These are also providedin pairs on both sides of the drive-in track (21) and at intervals fromthe portal (3). They are preferably arranged on suitable frames on thefloor and are designed in a suitable manner as non-contact sensors (23).These are light barriers in the illustrated embodiment. Any othersuitable sensors (23) are possible as an alternative.

The horizontally operating measurement devices (13) detect the vehicleadvance in drive-in direction (16). They are for this purpose arrangedat a suitable height in order to be able to scan at least the front andthe front side areas of the vehicle (2). The signals of the measurementdevices (13) can be combined with the signals of the verticallydetecting measurement devices (12) in the control system (14). Thus theposition of the vehicle can be determined even better yet and moreprecisely. In particular it can also be derived from the values for thecontrol system (14) how severe the incorrect position is and howextensive the corresponding correction aids and steering-wheel turnsmust be. With a correspondingly designed signaling device (7) it ispossible to give correspondingly gradually staged steering instructions.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a modification of the active drive-in aid (19)with a different design and arrangement of the measurement devices (12,13). The measurement devices (12, 13) are here designed as opticdetection systems (24, 25) and in particular as camera systems orso-called vision systems. The optic detection systems (24, 25) are morecomplex than the simple sensors (22, 23) in the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 3 and 4. The cameras (24, 25) have a greater information densityand can take a picture of the vehicle (2) driving in. It is therebydetermined by evaluating the optic informations whether the vehicle isor is not in the desired position within the picture of the camera. Whencompared to the desired position a lateral shift or a turn exist, thiscan be determined in the control system (14) or also in the opticdetection system (24, 25) and can be calculated according to positionand magnitude. The optic detection systems (24, 25) are for this purposepositioned at a known place and with a known line of sight (31).

The cameras (24, 25) have in a simple design a low resolution and detectessentially only the turned-on lights (27) or the cone-like lightpattern (28) of the vehicle (2). driving in. They are detected as twobright points of light distinguished over the lighter surroundings. Thecenterpoint of the vehicle can be calculated from the position of theheadlights (27) and a possible lateral deviation from the specifieddrive-in ideal line (29) can be determined. By storing and comparing theheadlight positions, which change during driving in, it is also possibleto determine the direction of travel of the vehicle (2). In addition itis also possible to determine via the optic detection device (24, 25)the distance of the vehicle (2) from the final point on the portal (3).In connection with the low resolution there exist lower demandsregarding the calculating capacity of the control system (14).Accordingly it is possible to keep the expense regarding hardware andsoftware low.

With more complex and higher resolving cameras (24, 25), it is possibleto also take more complex pictures of the vehicle (2), and in particularit is possible to optically detect and scan the borders of the vehiclechassis. These picture data can be utilized in the above-mentionedmanner for evaluating the position and alignment (30) of the vehicle(2). Moreover, the detected contour data of the vehicle (2) can also beutilized for controlling the washing and polishing device (4) and theportal (3). Thus washing brushes can be exactly controlled according tothe position and the contour of the vehicle (2). In a similar manner itis also possible to control high-pressure washing nozzles, applicationdevices for water, rinsing agents, foam, cleaning agents, etc. anddrying nozzles in the roof area and on the sides of the vehicle.Furthermore a visual monitoring of the washing or polishing operationcan be carried out through the optic detection systems (24, 25) byconnection to a monitoring system, for example a monitor, a recordingdevice, etc. Possible collisions, insufficient washing or polishingresults, etc. can be detected in this manner, and can at least berecorded or can be evaluated, if necessary, also for correction and arenewed washing or polishing operation. Furthermore it is possiblethrough the visual monitoring to optimize, for example, brush positionswith respect to difficult vehicle contours, for example retracted sunroofs and to adapt these to each vehicle shape. These functions can beadvantageously utilized also without the function as a drive-in aid.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 provides one single camera (24) asthe measurement device (12), which is preferably rigidly arranged and ispositioned essentially in the drive-in ideal line (29). Its line ofsight (31) is directed onto the drive-in track (21) or the vehicle (2)and extends along the ideal lines (29). The camera (24) is preferablyarranged approximately at the height of the cooler grill. It is providedat the rearward end of the vehicle treatment installation (1) and can bearranged below or behind the portal (3). The camera (24) can have in theaforementioned manner a low resolution and can detect the headlights(27). It can, however, as an alternative also be designed as thementioned complex vision system to detect the entire vehicle contour.

The individual camera (24) can determine in the aforedescribed mannerlateral incorrect positions of the vehicle (2) relative to the idealline (29). By storing and comparing the received position data of thevehicle (2) it is, however, also possible to determine skewed positions(30) of the vehicle (2) driving in.

FIG. 6 illustrates a modification in which several measurement devices(12, 13) and several optic detection systems (24, 25) are provided. Thecenter camera system (24) arranged in the ideal line (29) is the same asthe one in FIG. 5. In addition further cameras (25) are positionedaround the drive-in track (21) or the driven-in vehicle (2). These canbe, for example, two cameras (25) as shown in FIG. 6 arranged on bothsides next to the center camera (24), and which are each directed withtheir lines of sight (31) inclined onto the drive-in track (21) or thevehicle (2). Alternatively or in addition it is possible to arrange twofurther cameras (25) near the entry (17), which cameras are eachpositioned on the sidewalls or in the corner of the vehicle treatmentinstallation (1), and which are directed with their lines of sight (31)from the rear onto the vehicle (2) in the final position.

The individual camera (24) is in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5connected through a suitable line, preferably a videobus (26) to thecontrol system (14). All five cameras (24, 25) are in the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 6 connected through a videobus (26) to the controlsystem (14). Preferably one single videobus (26) is hereby providedwhich also connected the individual cameras (24, 25) among one another.

The cameras (24, 25) can be installed stationarily and rigidly. Theyhave a known position and a specified fixed line of sight (31).Alternatively or in addition it is possible for individual or allcameras (24, 25) to be arranged also movably or movably withinthemselves, for example rotatably or pivotally. This can be advantageousfor detecting the lateral shape or height contour of a vehicle duringits driving into the installation (1). The length and height and thecontour of the vehicle (2) over the hood of the engine, roof, rear areaand windshield is hereby detected, stored and is utilized for a suitableevaluation with the aforedescribed possibilities. When movable cameras(24, 25) are used, a suitable measuring system for detecting themovements and for a corresponding evaluation or correction of the camerameasurement data can be provided.

The signaling device (7) is stored in the illustrated exemplaryembodiments in the portal opening under the crossbeam. It is preferablyarranged on the roof-drying nozzle (6) and is directed toward thevehicle operator. In the case of an elevationally movable roof-dryingnozzle, the signaling device (7) is moved through the nozzle movementsinto the range of vision of the vehicle operator and again removedtherefrom. It can, however, as an alternative also be arranged on theportal (3) or on any other suitable area of the vehicle treatmentinstallation (1).

The signaling device (7) can have various designs. The exemplaryembodiment shows a switchable optic indicator (8). This indicatorhouses, for example, a colored light signal (9) with one or severallights of various colors. Using the colors red/green the vehicleoperator can, for example, be signaled how far he can yet drive forwardrelative to the portal (3).

The signaling device (7) has one or several travel-directioninstructions (10) which can be designed in any desired suitable manner.In FIG. 3 these are switchable, in particular illuminatable directionarrows (10). They point, for example, to the left and right and signalto the vehicle operator the direction which he must turn the steeringwheel in order to achieve the correct parking position at the portal(3). The arrows can also be directed upwardly or downwardly and indicateto the vehicle operator how far he must still pull forward. Furthermorethe arrows for indicating the magnitude of the necessary turn of thesteering wheel can be designed as multiple arrows or can have a colorchange with the warning color red and other colors.

The signaling device (7) can alternatively or in addition have one orseveral switchable signs (11). The vehicle operator can receiveoptically any desired text through these signs. Aside from text, it isalso possible to signal images or symbols. The sign (11) enables througha moving light displaying a complete operator guide with complete textsgiving informations or instructions. It can function as travel-directioninstruction. The transmitted informations can also be of any desiredcontent. Aside from the aforementioned drive-in instructions (10), itis, for example, also possible to transmit informations regarding thewashing offer, the price, regarding advertisement or the like.

The operator instructions cannot only be given during driving in andduring parking of the vehicle. A transfer of informations is alsopossible during the washing process or at its end during exiting. It is,for example, possible to signal during the washing operation the scopeof the selected washing operation and the state of the individualtreatment operations. After the wash has been completed the vehicleoperator receives exiting instructions, advertisement offers, a thankyou or the like. The instructions transmitted by the signaling device(7) can basically be of any desired nature.

Aside from the aforementioned optic indicator (8), it is also possibleas an alternative or in addition to provide any other type of indicator,for example an acoustic indicator. Same consists of a loud-speakerdevice, with which spoken instructions, music and other acousticinformations are transmitted. The acoustic indicator can also house analarm buzzer, a siren or the like.

The control system (14) is preferably designed as a computer-supported,freely programmable control system. The signaling device (7) is alsoconnected to the control system (14) and receives from same the controlsignals for operating the individual indicating elements. Lights canhereby be switched on and off, displays can be generated or otherswitching operations can be switched off. If necessary, the indicatingelements of the signaling device (7) are also movable and can berotated, tilted or can be changed in a different manner in position orappearance.

To exercise the signalizing function, the roof-drying nozzle (6) carriesout independent movements. The roof-drying nozzle (6) is during drive-inreadiness and when the vehicle washing installation (1) is ready tooperate lowered so far that the signaling device (7) is in anergonomically favorable visual range in front of the vehicle operator.The vehicle operator can thus during driving in look forward in theusual manner and finds in his visual range the necessary operatinginstructions and informations. After the vehicle has been positioned andprior to the start of the washing process, the roof-drying nozzle (6)travels again upwardly into the rest position in which it is alsoprotected against spray water. The signaling device (7) can in thisposition be out of sight or covered.

The roof-drying nozzle (6) can at the end of the washing process belowered again and can indicate to the vehicle operator with thesignaling device (7) being switched on the end of the washing processand the readiness to exit. When exiting to the rear through the exit(18) occurs, the roof-drying nozzle (6) is again lifted earlier in atimely fashion in order to avoid collisions with the vehicle (2). Thiscan, for example, be done by an approximation sensor, a presettime-delay circuit or other similar suitable measure.

A modification of the illustrated exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 6makes also possible a combination of the passive and active drive-in aid(19). The passive drive-in aid (19) can be combined with a measurementdevice (12, 13), whereby the optic guide line (34) operates in additionas the signaling device (7). Signals can then be transmitted through theguide line (34) to the operator of the vehicle in such a manner that,for example, the beam producers (35) pulsate and the beams (36) or theguide line (34) formed by the beams blink or show other cleardifferences in brightness. Such optic effects can signal to the operatorof the vehicle, for example, a dangerous situation, in case he does notcorrectly react to the guide line (34) alone, and makes steering errorsduring driving in. When projecting several guide lines orthree-dimensional images with drive-in directions or the like, it ispossible to change the projected guide lines or images also independency of the vehicle position and to bring through optic changesthe operator of the vehicle to change his steering direction. Thethree-dimensional and optic drive-in direction or drive-in tunnel canthen extend possibly at an angle fore the operator of the vehicle andcan cause him to carry out a following steering movement.

The illustrated exemplary embodiments can be modified in various ways.The measurement devices (12, 13) can be varied in number, arrangementand design. In particular the horizontally operating measurement devices(13) can be eliminated. At any rate one single system is sufficient fora vision system with one or several cameras. The control and/or thesignaling device can be coupled in a different technical circuit and inthe local arrangement with the measurement device or the measurementdevices (12, 13). The measurement devices and the indicator can also bepossibly combined with one another. The measurement devices can asidefrom the position and alignment of the vehicle (2) also detect at leastparts of its contour, in particular the contour of the side surfaces.These measurement data can be stored and can be evaluated and used in asuitable manner for a contour control of the treatment aggregates.

The signaling device can be arranged instead on the roof-drying nozzleon any desired other roof-treatment aggregate. This can, for example, bea horizontal high-pressure nozzle pipe, a spray pipe for applying foam,cleaning agents, etc., a rinsing pipe or the like. The roof-treatmentaggregate can also be essentially stationarily arranged. It does notneed to have a drive for lifting and lowering movements. The signalingdevice can in a further modification have a separate guide and aseparate drive for the lifting and lowering movements so that they canbe moved in the portal independently of the other treatment aggregates.The illustrated embodiment has compared to this, however, the advantagethat for the movements of the signaling device an at any rate alreadyprovided aggregate together with the drive can be used.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 Vehicle washing installation

2 vehicle

3 portal

4 washing device

5 edge interruption plane

6 roof-treatment aggregate, roof-drying nozzle

7 signaling device

8 optic indicator

9 signal

10 travel-direction instruction, direction arrow

11 sign

12 measurement device

13 measurement device

14 control system

15 detection device, beam direction

16 drive-in direction

17 entry

18 exit

19 drive-in aid

20 rail

21 drive-in track

22 sensor, lateral distance (spacing)

23 sensor, front position

24 optic detection system, camera

25 optic detection system, camera

26 videobus

27 headlight

28 light pattern

29 drive-in ideal line

30 vehicle alignment, skewed position

31 camera direction, line of sight

32 windshield

33 crown

34 optic guide line

35 beam producer

36 beam

37 reflecting device, mirror

38 guide rail

39 washing bay

40 floor

41 roof, ceiling

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle treatment installation for at least oneof washing and polishing a vehicle, comprising at least one portal andat least one signaling device for guiding an operator of the vehicle,the vehicle treatment installation including a drive-in aid device thattransmits optic direction and correction instructions to the operator ofthe vehicle when driving into the vehicle treatment installation, thedrive-in aid device including a control system and at least one cameraarranged below or behind the portal and positioned in a drive-in idealline with the line of sight toward the driving-in vehicle for detectingand evaluating the position and alignment of the vehicle when drivingin, and wherein the signaling device for providing travel-directioninstructions is connected to the control system.
 2. The vehicletreatment installation according to claim 1, wherein the signalingdevice is arranged on a roof-treatment aggregate.
 3. The vehicletreatment installation according to claim 1, wherein the signalingdevice includes one or several switchable direction arrows.
 4. Thevehicle treatment installation according to claim 1, wherein thesignaling device includes one or several switchable signs.
 5. A vehicletreatment installation for at least one of washing and polishing avehicle, comprising at least one portal and at least one signalingdevice for guiding an operator of the vehicle, the vehicle treatmentinstallation including a drive-in aid device that transmits opticdirection and correction instructions to the operator of the vehiclewhen driving into the vehicle treatment installation, the drive-in aiddevice including a control system and several cameras arranged withvarying lines of sight with respect to a drive-in track for detectingand evaluating the position and alignment of the vehicle when drivingin, and wherein the signaling device for providing travel-directioninstructions is connected to the control system.
 6. A vehicle treatmentinstallation for at least one of washing and polishing a vehicle,comprising at least one portal and at least one signaling device forguiding an operator of the vehicle, the vehicle treatment installationincluding a drive-in aid device that transmits optic direction andcorrection instructions to the operator of the vehicle when driving intothe vehicle treatment installation, the drive-in aid device including acontrol system and at least one camera for detecting and evaluating theposition and alignment of the vehicle when driving in by measuring lightemitting from head lights of the vehicle, and wherein the signalingdevice for providing travel-direction instructions is connected to thecontrol system.
 7. A vehicle treatment installation for at least one ofwashing and polishing a vehicle, comprising at least one portal and asignaling device for guiding an operator of the vehicle, the vehicletreatment installation including a drive-in aid device that transmitsoptic direction and correction instructions to the operator of thevehicle when driving into the vehicle treatment installation, thedrive-in aid device including non-contact sensors, wherein several ofthe non-contact sensors aligned in a horizontal detection direction andseveral of the non-contact sensors aligned in a vertical detectiondirection are arranged in pairs on both sides of a drive-in track atspaced intervals in front of the portal, and a control system fordetecting and evaluating the position and alignment of the vehicle whendriving in, and wherein the signaling device for providingtravel-direction instructions is connected to the control system.
 8. Thevehicle treatment installation according to claim 7, wherein the sensorscomprise optic sensors.
 9. The vehicle treatment installation accordingto claim 7, wherein the sensors comprise light barriers or infraredlight scanners.
 10. A vehicle treatment installation for at least one ofwashing and polishing a vehicle, comprising at least one portal and atleast one signaling device for guiding an operator of the vehicle thatis arranged in the opening of the portal and capable of upward ordownward movement, the vehicle treatment installation including adrive-in aid device that transmits optic direction and correctioninstructions to the operator of the vehicle when driving into thevehicle treatment installation, the drive-in aid device including acontrol system and at least one camera for detecting and evaluating theposition and alignment of the vehicle when driving in, and wherein thesignaling device for providing travel-direction instructions isconnected to the control system.
 11. Method for operating a vehicletreatment installation comprising at least one of a vehicle washing orpolishing installation, the treatment installation having at least oneportal and a signaling device for operational guidance for a vehicledriver so that visual direction and correction instructions aretransmitted to the vehicle driver by a drive-in aid device when drivinginto the vehicle treatment installation, wherein the position andalignment of the vehicle when driving into the vehicle treatmentinstallation is established and evaluated by at least one camera locatedunder or behind the portal and positioned in an ideal drive-in line forviewing in the direction of the vehicle when driving into the treatmentinstallation, whereby specific driving direction instructions and thecorrection instructions are transmitted by the drive-in aid device andthe signaling device in the event of deviation from a predeterminedposition and alignment.
 12. Vehicle treatment installation according toclaim 11, wherein the camera is one of a plurality of cameras arrangedin different viewing directions toward a drive-in track of the treatmentinstallation.
 13. Vehicle treatment installation according to claim 12,wherein the at least one camera detects and measures the location ofilluminated headlamps of the vehicle.
 14. Vehicle treatment installationaccording to claim 12, wherein the signaling device is located in anopening of the portal and guided and driven to be raised and lowered.15. Vehicle treatment installation according to claim 12, wherein thesignaling device is located on a roof treatment unit.
 16. Vehicletreatment installation according to claim 12, wherein the signalingdevice includes at least one of: A) one or more switchable directionarrows; and B) one or more switchable text boxes.
 17. Vehicle treatmentinstallation according to claim 11, wherein the at least one cameradetects and measures the location of illuminated headlamps of thevehicle.
 18. Vehicle treatment installation according to claim 17,wherein the signaling device is located in an opening of the portal andguided and driven to be raised and lowered.
 19. Vehicle treatmentinstallation according to claim 17, wherein the signaling device islocated on a roof treatment unit.
 20. Vehicle treatment installationaccording to claim 17, wherein the signaling device includes at leastone of: A) one or more switchable direction arrows; and B) one or moreswitchable text boxes.
 21. Vehicle treatment installation comprising atleast one of a vehicle washing or polishing installation, the treatmentinstallation including at least one portal and a signaling device foroperational guidance for a vehicle driver, the vehicle treatmentinstallation including a drive-in aid device that transmits visualdirection and correction instructions to the vehicle driver when drivinginto the vehicle treatment installation, wherein the drive-in aid deviceincludes at least one camera located under or behind the portal andpositioned in an ideal drive-in line for viewing in the direction of thevehicle driving into the treatment installation, and the treatmentinstallation includes a control system for detecting and evaluating theposition and alignment of the vehicle in response to an image from theat least one camera when the vehicle enters the installation, whereinthe signaling device for providing operational guidance to the vehicledriver is connected to the control system.
 22. Vehicle treatmentinstallation according to claim 21, wherein the signaling device islocated in an opening of the portal and guided and driven to be raisedand lowered.
 23. Vehicle treatment installation according to claim 22,wherein the signaling device is located on a roof treatment unit. 24.Vehicle treatment installation according to claim 22, wherein thesignaling device includes at least one of: A) one or more switchabledirection arrows; and B) one or more switchable text boxes.
 25. Vehicletreatment installation according to claim 21, wherein the signalingdevice is located on a roof treatment unit.
 26. Vehicle treatmentinstallation according to claim 25, wherein the signaling deviceincludes at least one of: A) one or more switchable direction arrows;and B) one or more switchable text boxes.
 27. Vehicle treatmentinstallation according to claim 21, wherein the signaling deviceincludes at least one of: A) one or more switchable direction arrows;and B) one or more switchable text boxes.